Dictionary monolingual
English
Few
fju
Extremely common
500 - 600
500 - 600
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Few -
A small number of something
Example: I have a few friends coming over for dinner.
Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations
Note: Used to indicate a small, but unspecified quantity.
Not many; a limited number
Example: There are few opportunities for advancement in this company.
Usage: formalContext: academic or professional settings
Note: Often used in more formal contexts to convey scarcity or limitation.
Used to emphasize the negative aspect of scarcity
Example: There are few things worse than being lonely.
Usage: formalContext: literary or expressive language
Note: Can be used to express a sense of lack or deficiency.
Few's synonyms
several
Several means more than a few but not many. It implies a moderate amount.
Example: I invited several friends to the party.
Note: Several implies a slightly larger quantity compared to few.
a handful of
A handful of means a small number or a few people or things that can be counted on one hand.
Example: There were only a handful of people at the event.
Note: A handful of is a more informal way to indicate a small quantity.
scant
Scant means barely sufficient or not enough. It indicates a small or limited amount.
Example: She provided scant evidence to support her claim.
Note: Scant emphasizes insufficiency or inadequacy more than few.
Few expressions, common phrases
A few
This phrase indicates a small number of something, implying more than one or two but less than many.
Example: I have a few friends coming over for dinner tonight.
Note: While 'few' alone signifies a small number with a negative connotation, 'a few' suggests a positive or sufficient quantity.
In a few
This phrase means within a short period of time, shortly.
Example: The meeting will start in a few minutes.
Note: It emphasizes the immediacy or nearness of the event or action compared to 'few' which only denotes a small number.
Few and far between
This idiom describes something that is rare, uncommon, or infrequent.
Example: Opportunities like this are few and far between.
Note: It emphasizes not only the scarcity but the considerable distance or time gap between occurrences.
Quite a few
This phrase means a relatively large number, more than expected.
Example: Quite a few people showed up at the party.
Note: It suggests a surprising or notable quantity, unlike 'few' which generally implies a small amount.
Make a few waves
To cause a small disturbance or trouble in order to achieve a goal.
Example: She's not afraid to make a few waves to get things done.
Note: It uses 'waves' metaphorically to denote minor disruptions or challenges, diverging from the literal meaning of 'few'.
There are few who
This phrase emphasizes the rarity or scarcity of individuals possessing a certain quality or ability.
Example: There are few who can match his skill in that field.
Note: It highlights the exceptional nature of the individuals being referred to, contrasting with the general sense of 'few'.
Every few
This phrase means at intervals of a small number of times or occasions.
Example: He checks his emails every few hours.
Note: It implies a regular or periodic occurrence separated by short intervals, enhancing the temporal aspect compared to 'few'.
Few everyday (slang) expressions
A few sandwiches short of a picnic
This phrase is used to humorously suggest that someone is not very intelligent or is mentally lacking.
Example: I think he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic if he believes that story.
Note: The slang phrase emphasizes someone's perceived lack of intelligence or common sense compared to the word 'few' which just means a small number of something.
A few bricks shy of a load
Similar to the previous phrase, it implies that someone is not very bright or is lacking mental capacity.
Example: After that comment, I think he's a few bricks shy of a load.
Note: This slang term highlights the idea of someone missing essential components, contrasting with the neutral meaning of 'few' indicating a small quantity.
A few cards short of a full deck
Used to imply that someone is mentally unstable, irrational, or lacking critical thinking skills.
Example: She tried to convince me to invest in that scheme, but I think she's a few cards short of a full deck.
Note: The slang term focuses on questioning someone's mental stability or ability, diverging from the neutral concept of 'few' denoting a small number.
Few - Examples
Few people attended the meeting.
I have a few friends in this city.
There is only a small amount of sugar left.
Few grammar
Few - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: few
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): fewer
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): fewest
Adjective (Adjective): few
Syllables, Separation and Stress
few Contains 1 syllables: few
Phonetic transcription: ˈfyü
few , ˈfyü (The red syllable is stressed)
Few - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
few: 500 - 600 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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